Now that the pre-Flashpoint Superman has dispatched of Doomsday and the Eradicator, he finally has the opportunity for some down time. Let’s take a look at Superman 7 and Trinity 1.
Superman 7
Written by Patrick Gleason and Peter Tomasi
Art by Jorge Jimenez
Some of the most fun Superman stories from the “Triangle Era” of the 1990s were standalone issues that focused on a day in Superman’s life. Gleason and Tomasi channel that energy with this issue, labeled as a post-script for the “Son of Superman” storyline where Clark and his son took on the Eradicator.
This is a story about family, establishing the new home for Clark and Lois Smith and their son Jon in Hamilton County. And it’s really one of the best, sweetest Superman stories written in a long time.
After spending a night helping out members of the Justice League, Clark comes home and promises Lois and Jon a day with the family, with no “Superman-ing” as Lois puts it. Just a trip to the last night of the Hamilton County Fair.
By the way, as someone who has spent a considerable amount of time at county fairs over the years, I thought it was a pretty good representation. But that’s probably besides the point.
I had a goofy smile on my face after reading this issue, because it really did make me feel like Superman – the REAL Superman – was back being published by DC Comics. Outside of the first couple of pages, we didn’t get to see Clark in costume, but we didn’t need to. This was about the family, a husband and wife with their son spending the day together.
I hope we get more issues like this, because DC Comics needs more levity and hopeful moments.
Trinity 1
Written by Francis Manapul
Art by Francis Manapul
One of the things I enjoy doing while writing these is taking a look at the solicitation copy for each issue and how it compares to what actually appeared on the page. From the solicitation copy for Trinity 1:
“In this premiere issue, see the trio travel from Metropolis to Gotham City and beyond to learn what forces launched their heroic careers.”
That… didn’t happen in this issue at all. No, instead we got Lois inviting Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince – Batman and Wonder Woman – over for dinner. Diana brought a wild boar with her, which may be a bit of an excessive dinner gift. DC Comics is trying to establish a new status quo with these three characters, with Superman and Batman needing to relearn how to trust each other. At dinner, Clark related a story about his own version of Batman, with Bruce Wayne claiming to have no recollection of that ever happening to him. So, we’ve established – again – that there are differences between the worlds, but we already knew that.
Trinity 1 fell into the same trap that modern comics are all too prone – the decompression makes it feel pointless. Manapul hits various story beats – Bruce doesn’t trust Clark, Diana still mourns the loss of her Clark and wants Lois to be her friend – but they’re just empty calories as we build to the final page to set up the next issue. Manapul teases something happening throughout dinner, so we know SOMETHING was going to happen.
Honestly, I think seeing the three heroes travel from Metropolis to Gotham City and beyond may have been a much more interesting story. Oh well. I’m a fan of Manapul’s work, so I’m hoping the decompression is toned down next month as we get into the heart of the story.